Clothing Belt Connector and Clothing Belt Assembly

ABSTRACT

A clothing belt assembly includes a first belt band segment, a second belt band segment, and a clothing belt connector. The clothing belt connector connects the first and second belt band segments together. The clothing belt connector has one or more connector plate(s).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 61/866,621 filed Aug. 16, 2013, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to clothing belts worn around aperson's waist over trousers or over other articles of clothing.

BACKGROUND

Clothing belts are a common clothing item worn around a person's waistfor supporting trousers, and are worn with other articles of clothingfor other reasons. Clothing belts are also used as a utility item bypolice officers, repair personnel, and others. Whatever their purpose,clothing belts are often made of leather or heavy cloth or fabricmaterials. Sometimes, a person may lose or gain weight and their waistmay shrink or grow in size as a result. A clothing belt once worn bythat person might no longer fit them, and they therefore may be requiredto purchase new clothing belts of different lengths and sometimes atgreat expense. Furthermore, irrespective of weight loss or gain, aperson may want to retrofit a clothing belt with a fashion accessory ormay want to turn the clothing belt itself into a fashion accessory.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a clothing belt assembly includes a first belt bandsegment, a second belt band segment, and a clothing belt connector. Thefirst belt band segment has a first end, and the second belt bandsegment has a second end. The clothing belt connector connects the firstand second belt band segments together. The clothing belt connector hasone or more connector plate(s) that are attached to the first end of thefirst belt band segment and attached to the second end of the secondbelt band segment.

In one embodiment, a clothing belt connector apparatus includes one ormore connector plate(s), a wall, and a socket. The connector plate(s)can be attached to an end of a clothing belt band segment. The wallextends from the connector plate(s) and can be situated near the end ofthe clothing belt band segment. The socket is defined in part or more bythe connector plate(s) and the wall, and can receive the end of theclothing belt band segment therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description is presented with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a clothing belt assemblywith a clothing belt segmented and with a pair of clothing beltconnectors;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a clothing beltconnector;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the clothing belt connector of FIG. 2, theclothing belt connector shown connected to belt band segments;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a clothing beltconnector;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the clothing belt connector of FIG. 4, theclothing belt connector shown connected to belt band segments;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a clothingbelt connector; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of the clothing belt connector of FIG. 6, theclothing belt connector shown connected to belt band segments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, one or more clothing belt connectors 10can be retrofitted to a clothing belt 12 in order to shorten or lengthenthe extent of the clothing belt, if desired, as the owner's waistshrinks or grows in size. The owner may therefore avoid purchasing newclothing belts of different lengths, and instead can adjust the lengthof their existing and already-owned clothing belts via the clothing beltconnector 10. And depending on the design of the clothing belt connector10, it could serve as a fashion accessory for the clothing belt 12.

The clothing belt 12 can be made of leather, heavy cloth or fabric, oranother material, and can be worn by men and women for supportingtrousers or with other articles of clothing for other reasons. Stillfurther, the clothing belt 12 could be a utility belt worn by policeofficers, repair personnel, and others. Before connection with theclothing belt connector 10, the clothing belt 12 is severed intoindividual clothing belt band segments—in the example of FIG. 1, theclothing belt is divided into a first belt band segment 14, a secondbelt band segment 16, and a third belt band segment 18. A first andsecond clothing belt connector 10 are provided between the distinct beltband segments. The belt band segments can have different lengths withrespect to each other, and there can be any number of them includingtwo, four, or five. The first belt band segment 14 has a single severedend 20, the second belt band segment 16 has first and second severedends 22 and 24, and the third belt band segment 18 has a single severedend 26. Additionally, and in some cases for the purpose of fashion, thedifferent belt band segments need not necessarily be severed and neednot necessarily come from the same clothing belt; instead, one belt bandsegment can be taken from one clothing belt of one material, and anotherbelt band segment can be taken from another clothing belt of anothermaterial.

When reducing the length and extent of the clothing belt 12, a lengthgreater than that of the clothing belt connector 10 can be taken out ofthe clothing belt. For example, a six-inch end-to-end length can be cutfrom the original total length of the clothing belt, and replaced by theclothing belt connector which may only have a length of two inches or alength otherwise less than six inches. And when increasing the lengthand extent of the clothing belt 12, the clothing belt can simply be cutin two belt band segments without removing any length from the clothingbelt, and the clothing belt connector 10 can be connected to both endsof the belt band segments, thereby lengthening the clothing belt by apartial length of the clothing belt connector. Whether reducing orincreasing, the clothing belt connector 10 can be inserted anywherealong the length of the clothing belt 12.

Once severed, the clothing belt connector 10 spans the break otherwisecreated in the clothing belt 12 and connects to ends of separate beltband segments. The clothing belt connector 10 can have differentdesigns, constructions, and components depending upon—among otherpossible considerations—the type of clothing belt and the material ofthe clothing belt. In general, the clothing belt connector 10 caninclude parts made out of a metal material such as brass, stainlesssteel, silver, gold, or another metal or even non-metal material;moreover, parts of the clothing belt connector could be decorated withitems like jewels or insignia for a more fashionable look and in somecases desirable appeal. Three embodiments of the clothing belt connectorare detailed in this description. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a firstembodiment of the clothing belt connector 10 includes a first connectorplate 28, a second connector plate 30, a first extension wall 32, asecond extension wall 34, and a joint 36.

Taking the example of FIG. 1, the first connector plate 28 is attachedto the ends 20, 22 of the first and second belt band segments 14, 16,and is situated on outside surfaces 38, 40 of the first and second beltband segments. In this embodiment, the first connector plate 28 includesa first connector plate part 42 and a separate and distinct secondconnector plate part 44. The first and second connector plate parts 42,44 have a generally rectangular shape and are generally planar; in otherembodiments the connector plate parts could have other shapes such asovals, and could be curved to match the profile of a person's roundedwaistline. For fit with the clothing belt 12, the connector plate parts42, 44 can have widths and thicknesses that complement those of theclothing belt; for instance, the connector plate parts can have widthand thickness values that are approximately equal to width and thicknessvalues of the clothing belt, or that are a bit less than or greater thanthe values of the clothing belt. Each of the first and second connectorplate parts 42, 44 has an outer surface 46 and an inner surface 48directly confronting and abutting the outside surfaces 38, 40 of thefirst and second belt band segments 14, 16. Furthermore, the first andsecond connector plate parts 42, 44 can have fastener holes 50 (shown inphantom in FIG. 3) for accommodating fasteners 52, if fasteners are usedfor attachment in the particular embodiment. The fasteners 52 could berivets, bolts, staples, tacks, or other fastening members, or,alternatively or additionally, the attachment could be made viaadhesive, sewing, or another technique; in some of these attachmenttechniques, a fastener hole may not be needed.

The second connector plate 30 is designed and constructed similarly tothe first connector plate 28, hence the second connector plate isdescribed more briefly here. The second connector plate 30 is attachedto the ends 20, 22 and is situated on inside surfaces 54, 56 of the beltband segments 14, 16. The second connector plate 30 includes a firstconnector plate part 58 located on the inside surface 54 and a secondconnector plate part 60 located on the inside surface 56. Each of thefirst and second connector plate parts 58, 60 has an outer surface 62and an inner surface 64 directly confronting and abutting the insidesurfaces 54, 56 of the belt band segments 14, 16. Furthermore, the firstand second connector plate parts 58, 60 can have fastener holes 66 foraccommodating the fasteners 52, if the fasteners are used for attachmentin the particular embodiment and if the fastener holes are needed.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first extension wall 32 spans andextends between the first connector plate parts 42, 58 at terminal endsof the parts. The first extension wall 32 can be unitary andsingle-piece with the first connector plate parts 42, 58, and can bearranged orthogonally relative to the first connector plate parts orcould be arranged in a different way. On its faces, the first extensionwall 32 has an outer surface 68 and an inner surface 70. Similarly, thesecond extension wall 34 spans and extends between the second connectorplate parts 44, 60 at terminal ends of the parts. The second extensionwall 34 can be unitary and single-piece with the second connector plateparts 44, 60, and can also be arranged orthogonally or in a differentway. And on its faces, the second extension wall 34 has an outer surface72 and an inner surface 74.

Together, the first connector plate parts 42, 58 and first extensionwall 32 define in part or more a first socket 76 that, in assembly,receives the end 20 of the first belt band segment 14. Upon reception,the end 20 is then sandwiched between and overlapped by the firstconnector plate parts 42, 58. The first socket 76 can have two open ends78, 80 and an open end 82. And likewise, the second connector plateparts 44, 60 and second extension wall 34 define in part or more asecond socket 84 that, in assembly, receives the first end 22 of thesecond belt band segment 16. Upon reception, the first end 22 is thensandwiched between and overlapped by the second connector plate parts44, 60. Like the first socket 76, the second socket 84 can have two openends 86 (only one of the ends shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) and an open end88.

The joint 36 attaches the first and second extension walls 32, 34together and allows movement between the extension walls. In differentembodiments, the joint 36 can be a swivel joint that allows swivelmovement about the joint, can allow pivotal movement about the joint,side-to-side bending, turning, rotation and twisting, or other movement.Depending upon the type of movement allowed, the joint 36 can helpaccommodate a person's rounded waistline and can permit one belt bandsegment to be flipped over one-hundred-and-eighty degrees relative toanother belt band segment, for example. In the case of flippingone-hundred-and-eighty degrees, different sides of different belt bandsegments can be mixed and matched as desired by the wearer.

Referring particularly to FIG. 3 now, in order to connect the clothingbelt connector 10 to the segmented clothing belt 12, the end 20 of thefirst belt band segment 14 is inserted into the first socket 76. The end20 is thereby sandwiched between the first connector plate parts 42, 58.A terminal end of the end 20 can be inserted all the way into abutmentwith the first extension wall 32, or instead can be spaced a distanceaway from the first extension wall but still confronted at its outsideand inside surfaces 38, 54 by the first connector plate parts 42, 58.Once inserted into the first socket 76 to a desired depth, the end 20can be attached between the first connector plate parts 42, 58 viafasteners 52, another technique, or a combination of techniques.Likewise, the first end 22 of the second belt band segment 16 isinserted into the second socket 84 to a desired depth where the firstend is sandwiched between the second connector plate parts 44, 60. Thefirst end 22 can then be attached via fasteners 52, another technique,or a combination of techniques.

Additionally, modifications of the first embodiment of the clothing beltconnector 10 include one in which the first connector plate parts 42, 58and the second connector plate parts 44, 60 have different designs andconstructions so that the clothing belt connector has a different designand construction on each side of the joint 36. For example, the firstconnector plate parts 42, 58 could be oval and slightly curved, whilethe second connector plate parts 44, 60 could be rectangular and planar.Other modifications to the first embodiment are possible.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a second embodiment of a clothing beltconnector 110 is similar in some ways to the first embodiment of theclothing belt connector 10, and some of the similarities may not bedescribed here for the second embodiment but are nonetheless applicable.The clothing belt connector 110 includes a first connector plate 128, asecond connector plate 130, and an extension wall 133. As before, thefirst connector plate 128 is attached to the ends 20, 22 of the firstand second belt band segments 14, 16, and is situated on the outsidesurfaces 38, 40 of the first and second belt band segments. The firstconnector plate 128 includes a first connector plate part 142 andincludes a second connector plate part 144 that unitarily extends fromthe first connector plate part. And the first and second connector plateparts 142, 144 can have fastener holes 150 for accommodating fasteners152, if fasteners are used for attachment or the holes are needed in theparticular embodiment. The fasteners 152 can be rivets, bolts, staples,tacks, or other fastening members, or, alternatively or additionally,the attachment could be made via adhesive, sewing, or another technique.

Similarly, the second connector plate 130 is attached to the ends 20, 22and is situated on inside surfaces 54, 56 of the belt band segments 14,16. The second connector plate 130 includes a first connector plate part158 and includes a second connector plate part 160 that unitarilyextends from the first connector plate part. Furthermore, and as before,the first and second connector plate parts 158, 160 can have fastenerholes 166 for accommodating the fasteners 152, if the fasteners are usedfor attachment or the holes are needed in the particular embodiment.

The extension wall 133 spans and extends between the first and secondconnector plates 128, 130 approximately midway in the plates. Theextension wall 133 can be unitary and single-piece with the first andsecond connector plates 128, 130, and can be arranged orthogonallyrelative to the plates or could be arranged in a different way.

Together, the first connector plate parts 142, 158 and extension wall133 define in part or more a first socket 176 that, in assembly,receives the end 20 of the first belt segment 14. And the secondconnector plate parts 144, 160 and extension wall 133 define in part ormore a second socket 184 that, in assembly, receives the first end 22 ofthe second belt band segment 16.

Unlike the first embodiment, the second embodiment does not have a jointthat allows movement between different sections of the clothing beltconnector 110, and instead the clothing belt connector 110 can be aone-piece stationary structure with portions immovable relative to eachother.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a third embodiment of a clothing beltconnector 210 is similar in some ways to the first embodiment of theclothing belt connector 10, and some of the similarities may not bedescribed here for the third embodiment but are nonetheless applicable.The clothing belt connector 210 includes a first connector plate 228, asecond connector plate 230, a first side wall 235, and a second sidewall 237. The first connector plate 228 is attached to the ends 20, 22of the first and second belt band segments 14, 16, and is situated onthe outside surfaces 38, 40 of the first and second belt band segments.In this third embodiment, it is the surface of the first connector plate228 that can be exposed and visible when the clothing belt connector 210is in use. The first connector plate 228 can have fastener holes 250 foraccommodating fasteners 252, if fasteners are used for attachment or theholes are needed in the particular embodiment. The fasteners 252 couldbe rivets, belts, staples, tacks, or other fastening members, oralternatively or additionally, the attachment could be made viaadhesive, sewing, or another technique.

Similarly, the second connector plate 230 is attached to the ends 20, 22and is situated on inside surfaces 54, 56 of the belt band segments 14,16. The second connector plate 230 includes a first connector plate part258 and a separate and distinct second connector plate part 260. Thefirst connector plate part 258 can unitarily extend from the first sidewall 235, and the second connector plate part 260 can unitarily extendfrom the second side wall 237. The first and second connector plateparts 258, 260 confront each other at respective side edges across aslot 239 that is defined longitudinally between open ends 281, 283. Theslot 239 spans completely across the longitudinal extent of the clothingbelt connector 210. The slot 239 is defined laterally at a confrontationbetween terminal ends of the first connector plate part 258 and thesecond connector plate part 260. Furthermore, the first and secondconnector plate parts 258, 260 can have fastener holes 266 foraccommodating the fasteners 252, if the fasteners 252 are used forattachment or the holes are needed in the particular embodiment.

Unlike the first and second embodiments, the third embodiment does nothave an extension wall like extension walls 32, 34, 133. The first andsecond side walls 235, 237 span and extend between the first and secondconnector plates 228, 230. The first and second side walls 235, 237 canbe unitary and single-piece with the first and second connector plates228, 230, and can be arranged orthogonally relative to the plates orcould be arranged in a different way. In use, the first and second sidewalls 235, 237 extend around side edges of the first and second beltband segments 14, 16.

Together, the first and second connector plates 228, 230 and first andsecond side walls 235, 237 define in part or more a first socket 276that, in assembly, receives the end 20 of the first belt band segment14, and define in part or more a second socket 284 that, in assembly,receives the first end 22 of the second belt band segment 16. The firstand second sockets 276, 284 can merely be defined by separate sectionsof a larger socket that is defined longitudinally between open ends 281,283.

While the forms of the disclosure constitute presently preferredembodiments, many others are possible. It is not intended herein tomention all the possible equivalent forms or ramifications of thedisclosure. It is understood that the terms used herein are merelydescriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

1. A clothing belt assembly, comprising: a first belt band segment witha first end; a second belt band segment with a second end; and aclothing belt connector connecting said first and second belt bandsegments together, said clothing belt connector having at least oneconnector plate attached to said first end of said first belt bandsegment and attached to said second end of said second belt bandsegment.
 2. The clothing belt assembly of claim 1, wherein said at leastone connector plate is attached to said first and second ends via afastener, adhesive, or a combination thereof.
 3. The clothing beltassembly of claim 1, wherein said clothing belt connector has a firstsocket that receives said first end of said first belt band segment andhas a second socket that receives said second end of said second beltband segment.
 4. The clothing belt assembly of claim 1, wherein said atleast one connector plate includes at least one side wall that islocated adjacent a first side edge of said first belt band segment,adjacent a second side edge of said second belt band segment, oradjacent both side edges.
 5. The clothing belt assembly of claim 4,wherein said at least one connector plate includes a first connectorplate situated on an outside surface of said first belt band segment, onan outside surface of said second belt band segment, or on outsidesurfaces of both segments, and includes a second connector platesituated on an inside surface of said first belt band segment, on aninside surface of said second belt band segment, or on inside surfacesof both segments, said at least one side wall extending between saidfirst and second connector plates.
 6. The clothing belt assembly ofclaim 5, wherein said first connector plate, said second connectorplate, and said at least one side wall at least partly define a socketthat receives both of said first and second ends of said first andsecond belt band segments.
 7. The clothing belt assembly of claim 1,wherein said at least one connector plate includes a first connectorplate situated on an outside surface of both of said first belt bandsegment and said second belt band segment, and includes a secondconnector plate situated on an inside surface of both of said first beltband segment and said second belt band segment.
 8. The clothing beltassembly of claim 7, wherein said clothing belt connector includes anextension wall extending between said first and second connector plates,said extension wall lacking a joint that would allow movement betweensaid first and second connector plates.
 9. The clothing belt assembly ofclaim 8, wherein said first connector plate, said second connectorplate, and said extension wall at least partly define a first socketthat receives said first end of said first belt band segment and atleast partly define a second socket that receives said second end ofsaid second belt band segment.
 10. The clothing belt assembly of claim9, wherein both of said first and second connector plates are attachedto both of said first and second ends of said first and second belt bandsegments, and said extension wall is free of an attachment to said firstand second ends.
 11. The clothing belt assembly of claim 1, wherein saidat least one connector plate includes a first connector plate and asecond connector plate, said first connector plate includes a firstconnector plate part situated on an outside surface of said first beltband segment and includes a second connector plate part situated on anoutside surface of said second belt band segment, and said secondconnector plate includes a third connector plate part situated on aninside surface of said first belt band segment and includes a fourthconnector plate part situated on an inside surface of said second beltband segment.
 12. The clothing belt assembly of claim 11, wherein saidclothing belt connector includes a first extension wall extendingbetween said first and third connector plate parts, and includes asecond extension wall extending between said second and fourth connectorplate parts.
 13. The clothing belt assembly of claim 12, wherein saidfirst connector plate part, said third connector plate part, and saidfirst extension wall at least partly define a first socket that receivessaid first end of said first belt band segment, and said secondconnector plate part, said fourth connector plate part, and said secondextension wall at least partly define a second socket that receives saidsecond end of said second belt band segment.
 14. The clothing beltassembly of claim 12, wherein said first and second extension walls areattached together via a joint that allows movement between said firstand second extension walls.
 15. The clothing belt assembly of claim 14,wherein said joint is a swivel joint that allows swivel movement betweensaid first and second extension walls.
 16. The clothing belt assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising a third belt band segment with a third end,and comprising a second clothing belt connector connecting said secondand third band segments together, said second clothing belt connectorhaving at least one connector plate attached to said second end of saidsecond belt band segment and attached to said third end of said thirdbelt band segment.
 17. A clothing belt connector apparatus, comprising:at least one connector plate attachable to an end of a clothing beltband segment; a wall extending from said at least one connector plateand being situatable adjacent the end of the clothing belt band segment;and a socket defined at least in part by said at least one connectorplate and said wall, the end of the clothing belt band segment beingreceivable in said socket.